Monday, 19 December 2016

Republicanism is clearly not part of "British" Values.

As you may well know I am a Republican and a Welsh Republican at that .If I was ever to be elected to the Welsh Assembly or Westminster Parliament , I would be obliged not make this Oath before I took my seat .

I... swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.

At least because of "British Values? i can abstain from adding the God bit. and

I... do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors, according to law.

If I refused to swear allegiance to Mrs Windsor and her heirs I would be prevented from taking my seat . Even if I had been elected on a Republican PlatformThe Oath also applies to Members of the Scottish Parliament.

There is no requirement for members of the Northern Ireland Assembly to take an oath of allegiance, or any other oath, nor is there any form of voluntary oath prescribed for those who may wish to swear one. However, members are required to sign the Assembly's roll of membership, designate their identity as "Nationalist", "Unionist" or "Other", and take a Pledge of Office. Ministers can be removed from office if the responsibilities of the pledge are not met. Members pledge:

to discharge in good faith all the duties of office;

commitment to non-violence and exclusively peaceful and democratic means;

to serve all the people of Northern Ireland equally, and to act in accordance with the general obligations on government to promote equality and prevent discrimination;

to promote the interests of the whole community represented in the Northern Ireland Assembly towards the goal of a shared future;

to participate fully in the Executive Committee, the North-South Ministerial Council and the British-Irish Council;

to observe the joint nature of the offices of First Minister and deputy First Minister;

to uphold the rule of law based as it is on the fundamental principles of fairness, impartiality and democratic accountability, including support for policing and the courts;

to participate with colleagues in the preparation of a programme for government;

to operate within the framework of that programme when agreed within the Executive Committee and endorsed by the Assembly;

to support, and to act in accordance with, all decisions of the Executive Committee and Assembly;

to comply with the Ministerial Code of Conduct.

Are these "British " values that the government want us to share or "Irish" Values or what ever

Still it seems the Tories may have a new set for us

Writing in the Sunday Times, Javid explained why those who work in the public services should take such an oath. He said:

Writing in the Sunday Times, Javid explained why those who work in the public services should take such an oath. He said: “If we are going to challenge such attitudes, civic and political leaders have to lead by example. We can’t expect new arrivals to embrace British values if those of us who are already here don’t do so ourselves, and such an oath would go a long way to making that happen.

He said that he was talking about “integration, not assimilation” and that he wasn’t “demanding that everyone drinks tea, watches cricket or bobs up and down at the Last Night of the Proms.”

“I’m talking about tolerating the views of others, even if you disagree with them. About believing in freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from abuse. I’m talking about a belief in equality, democracy and the democratic process. And about respect for the law, even if you think the law is an ass. Because if you do disagree, you can change it. That’s what freedom and democracy is all about.

So where if this Speech for Republicans?I would be allowed to be a Welsh Nationalist and express the cause for an Independent WalesBut whether a Unionist or Nationalist If I was elected and lied under oath I would still not be able to criticise Mrs Windsor in the chamber in Westminster or CardiffWhere is the belief in equality, democracy and the democratic process for Republicans outside Northern IrelandThe Northern Ireland Oath is clearly not of British Values but Universal but one we could all make.In the very Chambers of our Democracy he surely legitimate belief that we should be excluded or prevented from expressing Republican beliefs shows what a load of tosh were being fed.How much of this is as a result of Brexit and what appears to be nostalgia for the Empire is open to question